Sunday 11 September 2016

Caterpillar with Polystyrene Spots

This is one of Kilchoan Early Bird's pictures and both he and I would love to know what the white things are which adorn this caterpillar.  Can anyone help?

2 comments:

  1. Spider mite cocoons ?

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  2. Chris Mycock writes, "The caterpillar (could it be a fox moth?) looks as if it has been parasitised by a wasp. The mature larvae, having eaten their fill, have munched their way out. Most have pupated - hence the fuzzy appearance - but two (top right and top centre on the caterpillar) look as if they have yet to complete their cocoons.

    See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Macrothylacia_rubi_caterpillar_with_parasitoid_larvae_-_Niitv%C3%A4lja_bog.jpg"

    Fascinating! Many thanks to Chris. Jon

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